National Historic Landmark

Schoonmaker Reef

Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Listed
September 24, 1997
Type
Site
Period
Listed
Ref No.
97001266

About this property

Schoonmaker Reef, also known as Wauwatosa Reef, Schoonmaker Quarry, Raphu Station or Francey Reef is a 425 million year-old fossilized reef in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. It was discovered in 1844 by Increase A. Lapham and Fisk Day on the site of a quarry owned by the Schoonmaker family. Geologist James Hall declared its significance in 1862. It was the first ancient reef described in North America, and among the first described in the world. It is located North of W. State St., between N. 66th St. and N. 64th St. extended, in Wauwatosa. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1997.

Location

Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
43.04712, -87.99372

Categories

SCIENCE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Schoonmaker Reef

This page lists Schoonmaker Reef. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Schoonmaker Reef report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Davis, H. R., House
Industrial
0.5 mi
Fiebing, Otto F., House
Industrial
0.5 mi
Washington Highlands Historic District
Industrial
0.5 mi
Wauwatosa Woman's Club Clubhouse
Industrial
0.8 mi
George, Warren B., House
Industrial
0.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Schoonmaker Reef listed on the National Register?

Schoonmaker Reef was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 24, 1997.

What type of historic resource is Schoonmaker Reef?

Schoonmaker Reef is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Schoonmaker Reef a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Schoonmaker Reef has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Schoonmaker Reef?

The period of significance for Schoonmaker Reef is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Schoonmaker Reef?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Schoonmaker Reef will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Milwaukee County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Milwaukee County.

Explore MilwaukeeCounty ›

More historic places in Wisconsin

Browse all historic places in Wisconsin.

View Wisconsinhistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Wisconsin history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Wisconsinhistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Schoonmaker Reef will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report